I have a 1996 A6 with 90,000 miles on the odometer. Many of the bulbs are burnt out in the instrument panel used in the lighting of the gauges (no big deal, easy fix). However,the outside temperature and the gear indicator lights are burnt out (a bigger deal and tougher to fix) and my clock is not working. I havethe chance to purchase,for a very good price, my choice ofthree complete working instrument clusters (all gauges and bulbs work as thesethree clusterswere verified to be in good working condition when pulled). One of the instrument clusters is from the same year as my A6, 1996 but I was told the odeometer had 128,000 miles on it. One cluster is from a 1995 with 186,000 milesand the third cluster is from a 1997 with 135,000 miles.

My question is this: Willall three clusters work in my car? I am under the impression that 1995-1997 A6's are virtually identical cars with interchageable parts. My second and moreimportant question is, if I replace my existing instrument cluster with any of the above clusters, will the existing mileage that was exhibited on the purchased cluster, let's say in the above example the 1996 with 128,000 miles,be recognized and shown on theodeometer after I install the new clusterOR does my computer in the carstore all the data and after I install new instrument panel the ECU will automatically adjust new odeometer's mileage to existing 90,000 instead of 128,000?? I don't want to add 38,000 miles to my car by replacing the instrument cluster. Thanks.

 

i'm not sure about a '96, but the c5 a6's won't let you change the odometer all but once, and only when it's brand new, and only with the appropriate software (ie vagcom). i'm not entirely sure how the c4's work, but i'd be willing to guess it's probably the same way, because otherwise they'd have people rolling back odometers all over the place.

 

Jaybird, the odometer reading is stored in the instrument cluster, if you change it, it will show what was on the replacement cluster, not your "real" mileage.

 

That's what I would think too, WolfsA62.8Q, the mileage stored in the replacement speedometer cluster would show up when connected, not any acual mileage of the car.

What about Mustang196718's post about ONLY being able to change the cluster one time, and that was when it was brand new with the aid of a Vagcom and not a used speedometer cluster as mine is? If that is true then I would be wasting money and time making the simple swap of instrument clusters. I am sure I can find out by just trying the swap but I certainly don't want to screw up or lose any original stored data (actual mileage on car) if there is any stored, by replacing the cluster.

Any body out there have any first hand experience doing this on a 1995-1997 A6? Thanks.

 

Check this out, instructions on changeing the cluster, maybe you answer chould be here.
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/elec106.shtml
also check this site out
www.audidiy.com